Mel Kiper projects stud CB to Rams in second mock draft

Depending on what happens in free agency, the Rams will likely need a new cornerback (or two) this offseason. Trumaine Johnson and Nickell Robey-Coleman are both free agents, while Kayvon Webster is recovering from a torn Achilles suffered in December.

It’s entirely possible that the Rams could have three new starters at cornerback in Week 1, as difficult as that is to hear. That’s precisely why so many draft analysts have them taking a cornerback in mock drafts.

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Mel Kiper of ESPN released his latest mock on Wednesday and he followed that trend with the Rams grabbing a stud defensive back at No. 23.

Josh Jackson, CB, Iowa

Los Angeles has decisions to make on free-agent cornerbacks Trumaine Johnson and Nickell Robey-Coleman and safety/corner Lamarcus Joyner, and it isn’t likely to keep them all. Cornerback is a clear need for the Rams. Jackson burst onto the scene with eight interceptions in 2017, including three in an upset win over Ohio State. The big question about Jackson is true speed — he needs to run well at the combine to stay in the first-round discussion. He could also help out on punt returns.

The Rams don’t need help on punt returns with Pharoh Cooper back there, but Jackson is definitely a popular choice as a first-round cornerback. He’s being projected as high as the top 10 and as low as 23 to the Rams, so it would seem Los Angeles would be his floor.

That’s not to say the Rams would definitely pounce on him if afforded the opportunity, but he’d almost certainly be towards the top of their board.

Some like to compare him to Trumaine Johnson, whom he very well could replace. That’s not an unfair comparison to make, but Jackson’s frame is a bit thinner than Johnson’s. He’s also not as good in man coverage, but like Johnson, his ball skills are elite.

If the Rams were to have Jackson fall in their lap at No. 23, he’d be a home run. It would allow them to take the best available edge rusher in Round 3, which could be a guy like Kemoko Turay. Either way, it’s likely to be a corner and pass rusher in the first two picks for Los Angeles.

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